So, where did Syd Barrett get the idea to call his new band ‘Pink Floyd’?

A new release of remastered classic blues by Pink ‘Pinkie’ Anderson provided an excuse to delve into the origins of Pink Floyd

Pink Anderson (1900-74) was a bluesman who entertained at medicine shows from 1914 onwards and who finally recorded with Blind Simmie Dooley in 1928. Carolina Blues Man is a recording remastered in 2025 and highly recommended to anyone into blues and folk. This is the real thing – just man and guitar.

But what does this have to do with Pink Floyd? Not a great deal but it might draw in a few readers who may now be wondering, well, where did the name ‘Pink Floyd’ come from?

Syd Barrett took the names of two blues singers – Pink Anderson and Floyd Council. It would appear Syd was into a 1962 album by Blind Boy Fuller and these two names leapt out at him from the sleeve notes. So, if you did not already know, you do now!

Luckily, American folklorists managed to record Pinkie – as he was known – in 1950. The songs on this 2025 record date back a long way and are very entertaining, with great clarity to both the vocals and acoustic guitar. Pink tells great stories very well, and will certainly raise a chuckle now and again – he clearly had a great sense of humour.

Perhaps the best known song on this set is Baby, Please Don’t Go, which many of you may know by Them – with Van Morrison on vocals. The song is attributed to Big Joe Williams, a contemporary of Pinkie. He may have written it but is certainly credited with the arrangement. The song has been recorded by a multitude of artists from John Lee Hooker to AC/DC. Versions by Pinkie and Them are definitely my favourites. And now you can listen to Pinkie’s version too!

Below: not a great album sleeve, but it’s what’s inside that counts!